Extracted Text

The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

few remarks made sometimes amusing, sometime serious, were en-joyed by these old men with all the gusto of youth; one would callout "give me a corn shuck," another "where are the seven stars,"another replied by saying, "never mind, we are going to stay hereall night"; nearly all were smoking cigarritos; so passed the time,the spirit seemed to move none more than to dancing and con-fesing in song to one and another their little faults and hatred.Around the walls were hung some of their finery. The dancersheld in their hands Hawks feathers, and by rolling the hands overwould bring them against their faces, seeming to imbibe excite-m [e]nt from them, through the nose.The cold became to severe for me, and I left reflecting on thesepeople, their contentment, happiness and simplicity.The Guitar is made of small Terapin shells, the edges fasenedto-gether with dried beans put inside, several of these compose the'instrument, by running a stick through the centre, the music ? hasthe same melodious captivating sound that a "Childs rattle"produces.The performer seated on a low stool - hewn from the solidwood - his face indicating memory, love, forgetfulness, and allother feelings consequent upon hearing music, where it affects thehearer, th[r]owing his body into various swaying motions, seem-ing concious that he was the most important pe[r]son in theg[r]oup, was the most amusing part of the spectacle; at the con-clusion of each song or dance; the old men would utter a prolongedH = a ! to evince their satisfaction.These Indians are small in statue, but well formed, seeming toenjoy good health and are p[r]obably the most contented peopleon earth. U. S. does nothing for them. They are fond of gamblingand during the winter, time is spent with the least possible labor.The interpreter tells me that by the advice of their Physician(an Indian) the Sweating bath is used to promote health. TheBath house is made of poles and mud, air tight, heated with fire;after the hot bath they jump into the cold stream; this bath wouldsuffocate any one, but an Indian; the house is filled with smoke,how they bear it I can't understand.One of their most peculiar ceremonies is the "living Burial." AMaiden when she arrived at that period where nature indicatesher aproximation to womanhood, is buried for some time, in the